0 Shares

Submitted by the Washington State Military Department

Just months after public agencies came together to practice earthquake preparedness plans, Gov. Jay Inslee says it’s the public’s turn to do its part for personal preparedness and to practice drop, cover and hold on skills. 

shakeout-graphic Inslee proclaimed October as Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month, which is highlighted by the Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drill at 10:20 a.m., on October 20. The drill emphasizes the urgent need for people, organizations, schools, communities and businesses to practice what to do to be safe and to be ready before an earthquake strikes. In addition, coastal communities will test their tsunami alert sirens at the same date and time using the real sound of the siren, not the Westminster Chimes that typically happen during the monthly tests. NOAA weather radios set to receive the required monthly test will also activate during this test.

“In June, our region’s public agencies and first responders come together during Cascadia Rising and put our preparedness plans to the test,” Inslee said. “Now individuals and families need to prepare as well. This is the perfect time to check to make sure your emergency kits are up to date, that your business has a continuity plan or that you’ve designated an out-of-area contact in case our local cell towers are down. Most important is learning the right way to protect yourself – practice dropping down, covering your neck and getting under a desk or table and holding on until after the earthquake ends.”

Earthquake preparedness
Washington Emergency Management Director Robert Ezelle practicing his drop, cover and hold on skills at his office in Camp Murray before last year’s ShakeOut. Photo courtesy: Washington Military Departmen

People and organizations can sign up to participate at online. To date, more than 900,000 have registered. Last year, more than 1 million residents registered.

Preparedness will be key in surviving the next big earthquake to hit the Pacific Northwest. That means being prepared for what you need and where you live – with up to two weeks’ worth of supplies and an emergency “go” kit ready and, for those living on the coast, have an understanding of evacuation routes and the warning signs behind tsunamis – including how NOAA Weather Radio works and the coastal sirens.

This is the fifth year for Washington State to participate in the Great ShakeOut initiative. On October 20, from noon to 2:00 p.m., earthquake preparedness experts from the Washington Emergency Management Division and FEMA will join scientists with the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network to gather online for a Reddit Ask Me Anything – an online Q&A. The public is invited to ask questions at https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/ 

Earthquake
Students at the Washington Youth Academy in Bremerton practice their drop, cover and hold skills. Photo courtesy: Washington Military Department

We also encourage participants to take photos of themselves participating in the drill and post those photos to social media using the hashtag #washakeout or tag our Twitter account at @waShakeOut.

The governor also proclaimed October as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio month and a related emergency preparedness campaign called Take Winter By Storm, also kicks off in October.  It highlights preparedness specifically for winter storms.

Preparedness tips are available here: http://mil.wa.gov/preparedness

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares